Archive | July, 2024

Heroes, and more heroes, will play at Miracle Field on Saturday

18 Jul

/

Combine baseball, Miracle Field, and first responders, and whaddya get? An incredibly fun and inspirational day for the whole family.

It’s the fourth annual Heroes Helping Heroes Day at Challenger Miracle Field. This coming Saturday July 20, local first responders will spend the day at Miracle Field, playing with and against some of our amazing Challenger athletes. In addition to the entertaining baseball games, and the chance to meet some local first responders and get a close-up look at some of their equipment, there’ll be food, carnival games, a dunk tank, obstacle course and lots more.

The event is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the field, 1000 Ridge Rd., Webster.

The day will start with a tribute to local heroes followed by baseball games. The Seneca Park ZooMobile will be onsite with animals and families can enjoy a dunk tank, inflatable games, and food throughout the event. A variety of special needs agencies and providers will also be there. 

This is a great morning of safe family fun. There’s no charge, and there’s plenty of parking. To find out more, visit www.rochestermiraclefield.org.  

If you’ve got about a half hour to spare, consider clicking through to this story aired by WROC-TV about Miracle Field, filmed at that year’s Heroes Helping Heroes Day. It’s really inspirational.

About Challenger Miracle Field of Greater Rochester  

Challenger Miracle Field of Greater Rochester provides people with developmental, physical or intellectual disabilities a barrier free, safe, accessible place to experience the health benefits and joy of play through baseball, other team sports, and adaptive recreational equipment.

* * *

email me  at missyblog@gmail.com. “Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Instagram and Threads (@missyblog)

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page (or all the way at the bottom of the page if you’re on your phone).

(posted 7/18/2024)

Tags: , ,

Here’s a fun way to explore all of Webster’s trails

17 Jul

I got an email from the Friends of Webster Trails the other day with some exciting news: the Wegmans Hit the Trail Passport has been updated.

The passport program began at least five years ago as a way to encourage families to get out and discover our area’s beautiful trails, using a passport to record their completed hikes. Each trail has a marker post somewhere along it, which participants use to make a rubbing into the passport.

This newly updated passport is a whopping 40 pages long. It includes several new trails which the Friends have added since the last printing — the Herman Rd. Forever Wild Forest, State Rd. Nature Preserve, Michael Johnson Nature Trail and the Hickory Bark Trail — plus the Bike Trail. There are 32 trails and trail spurs in all, spanning Webster from west to east, measuring more than 36 miles of incredible natural beauty.

Each page features a different trail, detailing its individual spurs, their length, difficulty and approximate hiking time. The location of each marking post is clearly indicated, and there’s even a short description of each trail’s unique features. (A sample page is below.)

Basically, it’s a fun and educational way for the whole family to explore our amazing trail system. And if you’ve completed the passport program before, there are so many new trails to explore, it’s time to do it again!

You can pick up one of the new Hit the Trail passports at Wegmans (Holt Rd. or Eastway) or at Webster Parks and Recreation on Chiyoda Dr. You can also see the passport and download it here.

* * *

email me  at missyblog@gmail.com. “Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Instagram and Threads (@missyblog)

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page (or all the way at the bottom of the page if you’re on your phone).

(posted 7/16/2024)

Tags: , , ,

Great things are happening at the Village Quilt Shoppe

15 Jul

I got an email from my friends Vanetta and Monique at the Village Quilt Shoppe the other day. It was just an update on their community volunteer projects which they send out regularly to their email subscription list. They most definitely did NOT send it out to toot their own horn about the great things their little shop is doing under the radar.

So I’m going to do that.

Most of the ladies’ email had to do with their One Common Thread project. I wrote about this great initiative a while ago, where I explained:

On the third Tuesday of every month, Vanetta Parshall and Monique Liberti, owners of the Village Quilt Shoppe, host a “charity day.” For four hours, a handful of crafters sit around the tables at the back of the shop, carefully cutting and sorting hundreds of small fabric squares. The squares are then assembled into individual quilting kits, which are packaged up and shipped to Honduras.

Their destination is an foundation called One Common Thread, whose mission is to help Honduran women make quilts, which they can then sell to support their families.

Here is thew follow-up (with a call for donations) which Vanetta and Monique sent recently:

Thank you so much for your continued support of One Common Thread! Last month, thanks to the incredible efforts of our many volunteers, we were able to mail out three boxes of kits. Your dedication and hard work make a significant difference in the lives of those we aim to help.

We are currently running low on 3″ fabric squares. Specifically, we have an abundance of dark colors, but we desperately need lighter and brighter shades such as yellow, orange, teal, and blues. Additionally, we can always use more black, grey, and white squares. We gladly accept both 3″ squares and fabric donations. Any contributions of these colors and materials would be greatly appreciated and will help us continue empowering other women!

Our July charity day will take place on Tuesday, July 23rd. We hope to see many of you there as we come together to support this wonderful cause.

The Quilting Divas are once again making period bags and are accepting donations of tampons, panty liners, and period pads. These items need to be individually wrapped. In addition to these products, the Divas will also accept monetary donations.  Donations can be dropped off at our shoppe.

For those who may not be familiar, period bags are bags that the Divas make and fill with feminine hygiene products for the homeless. These bags provide essential items to those in need, helping to ensure dignity and health for all women.

Thank you, Village Quilt Shoppe quilters, and Vanetta and Monique, for all the good you’re doing! And if there’s anyone out there who can help with donations of fabric or period supplies, please contact the Shoppe.

The Village Quilt Shoppe is located at 21 East Main St. in the Village of Webster. To learn more, check out their website here or call (585) 626-6916.

* * *

email me  at missyblog@gmail.com. “Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Instagram and Threads (@missyblog)

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page (or all the way at the bottom of the page if you’re on your phone).

(posted 7/15/2024)

Tags: , , ,

Photos from the Kiddie Costume Parade

14 Jul

It’s been a couple of years since I’ve been in town for the Kiddie Parade, so I was glad to be able to attend this year’s event. The firefighters changed the route this year from the village streets to the carnival grounds, “due to concerns regarding the length of the parade and safety issues with the parade occurring on the roads.” I was somewhat disappointed with that change, because I think it reduced the audience (and the candy-throwing, which kids love to do) and perhaps even the number of participants.

So this year, the costume parade began at the carnival’s beer tent, and took three laps through the grounds, led by an eclectic and always entertaining marching band (don’t know their name, unfortunately). I took a bunch of photos, and I apologize if there are duplicates of many of the kids because I didn’t want to miss anyone.

They’re all in this gallery.

* * *

email me  at missyblog@gmail.com. “Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Instagram and Threads (@missyblog)

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page (or all the way at the bottom of the page if you’re on your phone).

(posted 7/14/2024)

Webster community mailbag

13 Jul

I begin today’s mailbag with a fun and free family event happening at Miracle Field of Greater Rochester.

It’s the fourth annual Heroes Helping Heroes Day, this coming Saturday July 20. Local first responders will spend the day at Miracle Field, playing with and against some of our amazing Challenger athletes. In addition to the entertaining baseball games, the chance to meet some local first responders and get a close-up look at some of their equipment, there’ll be food, carnival games, an Iron Man obstacle course, a dunk tank, the Zoo Mobile and lots more.

It all takes place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the field, 1000 Ridge Rd., Webster. If you have any questions, reach out to challengerdirec​tor@gmail.com or visit Rochestermiraclefield.org.

And now for some reminders previously mentioned in other mailbags:

Free concert at the Arboretum

The next “Music at the Arb” concert, sponsored by the Webster Recreation Center at the Webster Arboretum, is scheduled for Thursday July 18, featuring Doctor’s Orders, an acoustic folk and pop duo playing a variety of songs from the Beatles to John Prine, and pretty much everything in between.

The concert will be held from 6 to 8 p.m., is free and open to the public, and there’s plenty of parking. Bring a chair or a blanket, fill a cooler with dinner and drinks, and enjoy a pleasant evening of music.

The Arboretum talks about herbs

The next program in the Webster Arboretum’s Timely Topics Walk and Talk series is coming up this week, also on July 18.

On Thursday, July 18 at 1:30 p.m., Janet Robert and Beverly Gibson will show and tell about the Arboretum’s outstanding herb garden. Beverly will discuss the origin of the garden and the variety of herbs in each of the six themed beds.

This free, educational and lively herb discussion will be held July 18 at 1:30 p.m. at the Webster Arboretum, 1700 Schlegel Rd.  Visit the Webster Arboretum website to register for this free talk at the Arboretum. 

The Webster Arboretum is located at 1700 Schlegel Rd.

Music, music, music in the village

Music’s going wild this summer in the Village of Webster.

The Webster Jazz Festival comes to West Main Street on Friday and Saturday August 9 and 10 with a Super two day lineup featuring Bill Tiberio, Judah Sealy, Sofrito Latin Jazz, Prime Time Funk and many more.

The Friday Night Memorial Gazebo Park Concerts start on Friday July 19 at 7:00 p.m. That’s Beatles Week so come and celebrate the 60th year Anniversary of the Beatles’ 1964 USA tour with Eight Days a Week.

Remember, admission is always free at village events, which are brought to you by the Village of Webster Business Improvement District.

Baseball is on tap at Webster community night

On Friday Aug. 16, the Webster Recreation Center will be partnering with the Red Wings to host a Webster Community Night. The focus will be on our community that evening; Supervisor Tim Flaherty will be throwing out the first pitch, and Webster-based musician Sarah De Vallière is singing the national anthem.

The game starts at 6:45 p.m. Tickets are only $10 click here to reserve yours.

Webster Union Cemetery celebrates 200 years

Don’t forget about this amazing opportunity to “meet” some of Webster’s earliest settlers, at the 200th Anniversary Celebration for Webster Union Ceremony on Saturday, Aug. 17.

From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., visitors are invited to stroll Webster Union Cemetery’s beautiful grounds and chat with some of the people who founded our town. Talk to a suffragette fighting for women’s right to vote, a 1918 Spanish flu victim, Civil War soldiers, shopkeepers, boardinghouse owners, and even a Revolutionary War spy. You’ll also have a chance to learn headstone cleaning and preservation.

The 200th Anniversary Celebration will take place Saturday Aug. 17 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Webster Union Cemetery, 345 Webster Rd. (corner of Rt. 250 and Woodhull). Admission is free.

* * *

email me  at missyblog@gmail.com. “Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Instagram and Threads (@missyblog)

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page (or all the way at the bottom of the page if you’re on your phone).

(posted 7/13/2024)

Photos from the Fireman’s Parade

12 Jul

Our Webster Volunteer Fire Department must have some sort of lucky charm which they can rub every year at parade time. I can’t remember (at least in recent memory) having a nicer evening for the annual parade. Especially since it was still raining in the morning.

With 99 units and lasting a good two hours, this year’s parade did not disappoint, especially for kids who love trucks and love candy. And thanks to the good weather, the crowds were pretty thick.

If you were in the parade, chances are very good you’ll be in one of the 280 photos in this gallery … and I take that many of them because I hear from you all how much you like to see them, especially if you couldn’t be there to watch.

So grab a coffee, sit back and enjoy the photos. And if you took any of your family gathered for the parade, send them along and I can add them to the gallery.

* * *

email me  at missyblog@gmail.com. “Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Instagram and Threads (@missyblog)

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page (or all the way at the bottom of the page if you’re on your phone).

(posted 7/12/2024)

Tags: , , ,

July History Bit: the Webster Fireman’s Carnival

11 Jul

If you’ve seen this week’s edition of the Webster Herald, you’ve already seen this month’s History Bit, which you’ll see in its entirety below.

To research that article, I drew heavily from the Webster Volunteer Fire Department’s 1906-2006 100th anniversary volume, and historical editions of the Herald. I discovered all sorts of interesting facts about the carnival, but had to leave many of them out in the interest of newspaper space. Since I have no space concern in a blog, I’ve posted much of that additional information here, following the original Bit.

Some Webster Fireman’s Carnival history

With the return of the Webster Fireman’s Carnival this week, it seems an appropriate time to take a look back at the history of this very popular and long-running summer event.  

According to the Webster Volunteer Fire Department’s 100th anniversary history book, the Fireman’s Carnival turns 87 years old this year. The first carnival was held July 23 and 24, 1937 on Ridge Rd. just west of Corning Park, where Pierce St. is now. The first chairman, Russell B. Mason, reported a net profit of $514.63. 

Not much is known about that first year, but we do know that the carnival was held at the same location the following year. The July 15, 1938 edition of the Webster Herald reported that carnival-goers would enjoy four thrilling rides, plus free dancing and entertainment. They could also enter to win cash door prizes, a radio from Hawley’s Hardware and a refrigerator from Netzman’s Appliances. 

The 1938 carnival was even more successful than the first, netting about $1100 despite some challenges. It rained buckets Friday night, and on Saturday the Ferris wheel broke down. Fortunately, though, carnival-goers had other entertainment options, including a hoop-rolling contest and a “Dutch bowlers” (cricket) demonstration game, which attracted an audience of 700. 

Even before the 1938 carnival, the Webster Fire Department was well into the planning stages of purchasing its own property for use as carnival grounds. That September, they finalized the sale of a 24-acre tract of land owned by William Partridge near their current festival location west of Corning Park, purchased for $2500. The firemen have held their carnival on that property, now known as Fireman’s Field, every year since. 

Now, here are some other interesting things I read:

  • In 1939, just two years after the first carnival, stands were built on the new property and a water line installed.
  • In 1940, wooden toilets were installed.
  • Several improvements were made between 1946 and 1950, including constructing two bridges across the stream, and building a storehouse and a building with flush toilets.
  • In the early 1950s there was talk of building a community pool, with an awning, on the site. But those plans never got off the ground.
  • In 1956 the Webster School Board asked for a right-of-way across the Fireman’s Field to Ridgecrest School. At the time, the board was granted permission to allow children to walk across the field to school, In June of 1957, a road was built across the field from Ebner Rd. (which at the time ended at the village line) to the Ridgecrest property line.
  • The “clubhouse,” now known better as the Firemen’s Exempt building, was erected in 1960.
  • In the early 1970s, restrooms were enlarged and remodeled, hot water and sinks were added to the food booths, and several stands were rebuilt after suffering damage in a windstorm.
  • Carnival organizers applied for their first Game of Chance license in 1982.
  • In 1983, McDonald’s inquired about purchasing a parcel of the property along Ridge Rd. The motion was voted down. Three more offers were made in 1986 for “the front piece of the carnival grounds” for $100,000, $200,000 and $270,000, which were all turned down. (It appears that the decision to sell the property was finally made in late 1987.)
  • In 1985 (and for several years in the late 80s and early 90s) the carnival was opened up Friday night to local homes for the handicapped so they could enjoy the festivities without the crowds.
  • In 1986, 2.765 acres adjacent to the carnival field were purchased from the school district for parking.
  • The beer stand ticket booth was built in 1988.
  • In 1999, a few buildings were removed to make room for more rides.

* * *

email me  at missyblog@gmail.com. “Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Instagram and Threads (@missyblog)

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page (or all the way at the bottom of the page if you’re on your phone).

(posted 7/11/2024)

Tags: , , , ,

A look inside the new Mary Wee Pub

10 Jul

The new Mary Wee Pub is slowly taking shape at the Village of Webster’s four corners. Fans of the former Barry’s Old School Irish — and pretty much everyone who loves our village — are anxiously awaiting to see what the new corner pub will be like, inside and out.

New owner Mark Petzing, of the Shamrock Jack’s family, is putting his own twist on the interior design of his new pub, and I dare say, those who knew the old Barry’s Pub would hardly recognize the place.

First thing you might notice when you walk in is that the wall separating the bar from the “bakery” area has been removed. That leaves space for the much longer bar, which wraps from the wall near the bathrooms all the way to the west wall, plenty of room for as many as 15 bar stools. There are still two bathrooms, but Mark has reconfigured them to be side-by-side, one of them replacing what many of us know as “keg alley” in the southeast corner of the pub.

Probably the most exciting feature of the new design is the indoor/outdoor seating Mark has planned for the big, north-facing front window. That window will be replaced with a garage door, which can be raised on nice days, allowing patrons to sit inside along a counter, looking out. At the same time, patrons can sit at bar stools outside, along the same counter, across from their friends. Additional high-top and lower-table seating will fill the rest of the inside space.

Even with all that, Mark has somehow managed to actually make the pub look bigger, despite having the same floor space to work with. It already seems like it’s going to be much brighter as well, with plenty of up-lit lighting fixtures, plus two big front doors and the garage door to let the outside light stream in.

True to its name, Mark says his new pub will have a “wee bit of everything.” He’ll be serving a limited menu; right now he’s thinking soups, salads, and sandwiches, what he calls, “simple, consistent, good food.” Plans are to have eight taps, with Irish favorites including Guinness, Smithwicks and Harp, and “a couple Gennys.” There’ll be three TVs for sports fans, a jukebox, and live music.

It’s come a long way in the last few months. But there’s still lots to do, and Mark doesn’t expect to open until sometime in September or October.

  • A inside view of the future garage door seating area
  • The two bathrooms are in the same corner where they were at Barry’s, but reconfigured
  • Mark Petzing in front of the new, much bigger, bar
  • The big front doors will let in a lot of light
  • The garden in front of the garage door seating area will be removed, and a new fence will enclose the expanded patio seating area.

Finally, about the name, the “Mary Wee.” Since the signs went up in the windows, everyone’s been talking about the unusual name.

Here’s the story, straight from Mark himself:

My grandfather is Jack, and over time everything was named after him. I always wanted to be different from my family, separate from my family but at the same time, I want to be part of my family. Shamrock Jack’s is an important part of my life. 

But my grandmother Mary, I loved her. My grandmother was older and she liked whiskeys and bourbons. They would water down her whiskeys, and put a little around the rim. She’d always smile, the sweet little thing, she’d say “Oh, thank you.” And when my mom and my aunts weren’t looking, she’d say, “Mark, give me a wee bit more.”

So people ask why is it not “Wee Mary’s?” Because I want you to think about it. And it means nothing at all, but it means a ton to me. Come in and have a whiskey and I’ll tell you the story and we’ll laugh.

As work on the new Mary Wee Pub continues, stay tuned for more details and more photos from our new little corner Irish pub. And when you can finally visit and have a pint, make sure to look for the picture of Mary on the wall, and raise a pint to her for inspiring her grandson’s new pub.

* * *

email me  at missyblog@gmail.com. “Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Instagram and Threads (@missyblog)

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page (or all the way at the bottom of the page if you’re on your phone).

(posted 7/10/2024)

Tags: , , , ,

Webster honors one of its own

9 Jul

The Webster community came out in force Tuesday afternoon as a funeral procession for fallen Cleveland police officer Jamieson Ritter wound its way through the village en route to Falvo Funeral Home.

Jamieson Ritter, 27, a Webster native, was killed in the line of duty on July 4, 2024. He was a Cleveland police officer.

Ritter, a Webster native, was shot last Thursday as officers attempted to serve a warrant. He was just 27 years old. A memorial service was held for him yesterday in Cleveland before his body was returned to his home town for funeral services.

Led by a dozen motorcycle officers, the procession passed through the village’s four corners at around 2:15 p.m. It was welcomed by crowds of community members who had gathered to show their respect with waving flags and hands over their hearts. At the Webster Volunteer Fire Department station, assembled firefighters snapped to attention and saluted as the hearse passed by the firehouse. A dozen more police cars, representing towns from all over Monroe County and beyond, followed behind.

Before arriving in Webster, the procession had traveled from the Thruway along routes 490, 590 and 104, welcomed along the way by knots of adults and children stationed on overpasses, and fire trucks with all their lights ablaze, some of which hoisted huge American flags.

Once again, Webster, you showed everyone what our town is all about.

Here’s a short video:

* * *

email me  at missyblog@gmail.com. “Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Instagram and Threads (@missyblog)

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page (or all the way at the bottom of the page if you’re on your phone).

(posted 7/9/2024)

Tags: , ,

Rain, rain stay away

9 Jul

Thanks to Hurricane Beryl, it looks like the weather for the start of the 2024 Webster Fireman’s Carnival is about the worst it could be. But that could change, and our hardworking firefighters will do their very best to make sure the festivities continue unabated. For the latest updates, make sure to check out the Webster Fireman’s Carnival Facebook page or website.

In the meantime, things are hopping over at Fireman’s Field. The rides are arriving and are being set up, the parking lot has been marked off, and the snow fencing and barrels arranged, so right now everyone is expecting a great carnival and great crowds.

* * *

email me  at missyblog@gmail.com. “Like” this blog on Facebook and follow me on Instagram and Threads (@missyblog)

You can also get email notifications every time I post a new blog by using the “Subscribe” link on the right side of this page (or all the way at the bottom of the page if you’re on your phone).

(posted 7/9/2024)

Tags: , , ,

← Older Entries
Newer Entries →